Nominee(s) must have demonstrated
significant and sustained efforts
to provide positive public exposure
and education in the field of trail
use, planning, design, or implementation.
The nominee must have demonstrated
a willingness and receptiveness to
provide free public service exposure
about trail.:

Des
Moines Register, Iowa

Photo by
the Des Moines Register, Des Moines,
Iowa

The Des
Moines Register newspaper has consistently
and for many years been a public source
of reliable information and strong
advocate for trail development on
a local, state and federal level.
Their coverage has addressed trail
issues from numerous perspectives
such as personal stories, land condemnation
issues, funding (state & federal),
maintenance costs, location, public
participation, volunteers, design,
editorials, and public reactions.

Lately they have been carrying
articles on river-related water trails
and the Whiterock Conservancy trail
system, which is part of the Iowa
Great Places Initiative and is related
to the national American Discovery
Trail.

The Register extensively
covers trail issues on the local and
metropolitan area in addition to statewide
trail news. They are well known for
their strong, well written and numerous
editorials advocating for trails everywhere.
In addition, they sponsor RAGBRAI,
Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride
Across Iowa, the longest, largest,
and oldest bicycle-touring event in
the world. RAGBRAI started in 1973
and each year 10,000 riders and 5,000
support people come from all over
the world to enjoy the ride. Coverage
by the Des Moines Register and other
local media provides great publicity
for trails.